"Even Barbara, the nicest woman in the world, was not free of the besetting sin of womankind, approving of change merely because it was change; but Hornblower did not answer her as he had answered Brown.
"'Thank you,' he said, trying desperately to sound gracious as he said it.
"'My towel, Hebe,' said Barbara. The little Negro maid came gliding forward, and wrapped her up as she stepped out of the hip bath.
"'Venus rises from the waves,' said Hornblower gallantly. He was doing he best to fight down the feeling of awkwardness which possessed him when he saw his wife naked in the presence of another woman, even though Hebe was a mere servant, and coloured.
"'I expect,' said Barbara, standing while Hebe patted the towel to her skin to dry her, 'the village has already heard of this strange habit of ours...